Three In A Row
DePaul claimed at least a share of the BIG EAST regular-season title for the third season in a row following its convincing win over Butler on Sunday afternoon. The nationally ranked Blue Demons can finish no worse than 13-5 in conference play (and as high as 16-2), with only St. John’s currently able to catch them as the Red Storm own a 9-5 record following Sunday’s win over Georgetown. In the event that both St. John’s and DePaul finish atop the standings at 13-5, the Blue Demons have the tiebreaker by way of their regular-season sweep of the Red Storm to gain the seeding advantage. DePaul has locked up the No. 1 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament for the second time in the last three seasons. The Blue Demons are serving as host of the 2016 BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament, set for McGrath-Phillips Arena March 5-8. DePaul will automatically bypass to the quarterfinal round on March 6 and face the winner of the Nos 8 and 9 seed. Other postseason scenarios solidified are Providence and Butler are guaranteed to play in the first round on March 5, as the Friars can finish no higher than ninth and the Bulldogs can go no higher than seventh. Seeds seven through 10 compete in the first round while seeds one through six earn byes to the quarterfinals.
Tip Of The Hat For Tab
Seton Hall’s Tabatha Richardson-Smith became the Pirates’ all-time leading scorer on Sunday afternoon. The senior totaled a game-high 27 points and snagged nine rebounds for the Pirates which topped Villanova, 60-50. In her four-year career, Richardson-Smith has totaled 1,810 points to pass Geraldine Saintilus (1,804 in 1985-89). Of her 1,810 points, 967 have come in BIG EAST games as the Texas native is nearing the BIG EAST regular-season top-20 list. Richardson-Smith is second to only Aliyyah Handford of St. John’s as the active career scoring leaders in the BIG EAST. Through Sunday’s win over Georgetown, Handford has 1,917 points to rank second all-time in Queens and just 33 points behind the Red Storm’s scoring record. Seton Hall’s win over Villanova pushed another historic event back at least one game, as Wildcat head coach Harry Perretta remained at 699 career wins.
Of Note
Freshman Allazia Blockton notched her BIG EAST-best 10
th double-double of the season on Sunday to lead Marquette to the 74-69 win over Xavier. Blockton totaled 18 points, 13 rebounds and five assists to give the Golden Eagles their second straight win. Four Musketeers scored in double figures, including 20 for Raeshaun Gaffney who also grabbed 11 boards. Providence ended its league losing skid by dealing visiting Creighton a 61-59 setback. The Friars led by as many as 10 in the fourth quarter before the Bluejays staged a comeback to get within one, 60-59, with 14 seconds left. Creighton forced a turnover with nine seconds left but Sydney Lamberty’s layup wouldn’t fall as the Friars held on for their first win since December. Creighton’s MC McGrory led all scorers with 18 points. Georgetown welcomed back reigning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Dorothy Adomako on Sunday at St. John’s, as Adomako came off the bench to score 12 points and grab eight boards. Adomako had been sidelined since Jan. 31. Danaejah Grant had 20 points for the winning Red Storm, who moved into second place in the league standings. No. 23/23 DePaul reached triple figures for the second time this season with its 102-point effort versus Butler. Four Blue Demons scored in double figures, including 17 apiece for Chanise Jenkins and Jessica January, but the Bulldogs’ Blaire Langlois led all scorers with 19 points, including five three-pointers.
Weekly Results
Friday
Georgetown 73, -/RV Seton Hall 65
Marquette 76, Butler 69
23/23 DePaul 82, Xavier 52
Villanova 71, -/RV St. John’s 59
Sunday
Providence 61, Creighton 59
23/23 DePaul 102, Butler 63
Marquette 74, Xavier 69
-/RV Seton Hall 60, Villanova 50
-/RV St. John’s 63, Georgetown 55